Chesapeake, VA Veterinarians

YP - The Real Yellow PagesSM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local Yellow Pages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business's suitability for you. “Preferred” listings, or those with featured website buttons, indicate YP advertisers who directly provide information about their businesses to help consumers make more informed buying decisions. YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page.

Tips & Advice

Are pet owners allowed to stay with their animal during an overnight pet clinic stay?

Most 24-hour clinics do not allow owners to stay with their pets overnight. However, many do have specific visiting hours or will let owners see their pets at any point during the day. In addition, owners can call most clinics at any time for an update on their pet's well being.

What should be included in a pet first-aid kit?

Important phone numbers, especially those of the the veterinary clinic, the animal hospital or emergency clinic, and the poison control center

A book detailing pet first-aid steps

Copy of medical records

Nylon leash

Muzzle (only use if pet is not vomiting and has no difficulty breathing)

Absorbent gauze

Nonlatex disposable gloves

Scissors

Tweezers

Nail clippers

Digital thermometer

Sterile saline solution

Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting only at the recommendation of a veterinarian

Milk of magnesia (to absorb poison only at the recommendation of a veterinarian)

What is the right care facility for a pet health emergency?

Find a 24-hour animal hospital that provides emergency services within your area. Keep the facility's contact information in a place that's easy to locate, such as the refrigerator, address book, or smartphone. Most veterinary clinics operate on standard business hours and are not equipped to handle emergencies.

What's the difference between a veterinary clinic and an animal hospital?

Veterinary clinics operate on a smaller scale than animal hospitals. The latter are more likely open 24 hours and provide emergency services. The former generally operate on typical office hours and only perform wellness exams and minor surgeries. Veterinary clinics also do not generally perform laboratory tests on site.

What should I bring to my pet's veterinary appointment?

The specifics vary depending on the type of visit. For a wellness exam, bring:

Medical records

The type or brand of food the pet eats

Medication (including flea, tick, and heartworm medication).

If the animal needs medical treatment, the following may be helpful depending on the situation:

Fresh stool sample

Vomit sample

Video of the pet engaging in abnormal behavior

Substance the pet may have ingested

Do veterinarians make house calls?

Most large-animal veterinarians make houses calls, and a growing number of small-animal vets do the same. The services these vets provide are similar to those offered by a clinic. Animals that require major surgeries or in-depth testing will need to go to an animal hospital.

What is the recommended frequency of veterinary well-visits?

Take pets for an annual wellness visit at least once per year. Younger, older, or special-needs pets may need more frequent visits.

Is an appointment needed before visiting a veterinary clinic?

If you need a standard wellness visit or have a minor concern, scheduling an appointment is ideal. In the event of an emergency, call or check online to see if the clinic accepts walk-ins.

How much does a visit to a veterinary clinic cost?

Most general wellness vet visits cost around $50. Getting vaccinations increases the price. The average pet vaccine costs around $20.

We at Highlands Veterinary Center do our best to make sure all surgeries have the best outcome. No surgery, no matter how routine, is without risk. We inform all of our clients of the risks before hand. When something happens to one of our patients, we are just as devastated as the pet parent. It is particularly distressing to us because we try everything in our power to prevent bad outcomes for all of our patients. There are certain things that are not in our control but we will keep on providing the best care we know how. The vast majority of our clients know that we care.

Our healthy, energetic 6 ½ month old Papillon puppy died during a routine spaying procedure at this clinic. This was devastating. I know there is some risk for any procedure but the veterinary staff told us there was no additional risk for a small puppy. Now we don’t know what to think. The vet, Dr. Springer, assured us that all correct procedures were followed; however, he and his clinic were not able to keep our healthy puppy alive. We trust the vets to give us professional advice and keep our best friends safe. But the pet owner assumes all the risk for the procedure and still pays for an unsuccessful outcome.We miss our little puppy.

The vet was more interested in pumping-up our bill than in caring for the animal. Podus, the owner, has always had a strange persona about him. He seems detached at all times. The vet that handled our pet talks so fast you cannot understand her. And she never looks at you to explain the issues. She is really more interested in pumping up her sales than in providing decent care.In addition, they DO NOT have a blood analyzer on site and charge EACH-AND-EVERY CUSTOMER AN EXPENSIVE OVERNIGHT FEE that goes to the same facility for testing. This is a total rip-off. At least Pet Care in Virginia Beach has a blood analysis system on site. The staff is hit-and-miss. Some are good at their job, while others . . . not so much. One male staffer had to have the the last word whenever I said something. His demeanor was not good. And his snide facial expressions revealed his attitude that he was better than you. Pitiful, I would say.

We took our guinea pig here for a visit since he wasn't doing well and he needed a vitamin C shot. 20 mins after the vitamin C shot, and the shot with fluids (since he was dehydrated), he died. The total bill was $136.83 and the doctor (Dr. Tony Poutous) would only refund us the $73 in medication, not the $63 upfront fee. I'm extremely dissatisfied with their service. It was a whole lot better when Dr. MacQueen was there. NEVER GO HERE! I would also recommend Providence Square Veterinary Hospital in the Kempsville area, as they service exotic animals and guinea pigs.

I met Dr. Schacker at Pet Smart and followed her to Midway. It was a bit of a drive for us but she is a wonderful vet. My husband asked me why I went to a vet so far away. I told him she was worth it. The first time my husband came with me to the vet, He understood why and agreed with me that she was a wonderful vet.

Quality of care there has declined over the years. We had a cat, one of many we took there over 12 years, that was belatedly diagnosed w/ very painful pancreatitis. It took quite awhile for this to be diagnosed and multiple calls to get pain medication. By the time we got it, he was near death, a needlessly painful death. I'm general, it had seemed difficult for the vet to make definitive diagnosed. Noticed also that the office staff. We've also noticed that office staff less friendly is less friendly since office moved. We found another vet who made a definitive diagnosis of another cat who lived an extra year w/ fluid treatments for her kidney. This was never suggested at AM.

Absolutely horrible place. I got my dogs teeth cleaned there and somehow they caused a neuro injury to him. He has a fixed and dilated eye and is very confused. They refuse to take any responsibility and even had the nerve to charge me for the visit when I told them something was wrong. Avoid this place if you love your animals. They may have just taken my best friend from me.

i took my dog to highlands for eye surgery. That was over priced then I had to leave town and decided to board my dogs with them they did not feed my dogs the food I gave them. my dogs were completely dirty with green eye boogers on both from lack of care. worst part they lied about giving them the provided blankets. the blankets were completly clean, my two dogs are very hairy. do not take your dog to this place.

Did You Know?

How to Find the Right Vet or Clinic for Your Animal

Choosing the right vet for your pet can be tough. After all, your furry friend can't tell you how he or she feels about the doctor. Even though you're not the one treated by the vet, whoever your animal sees is obviously your decision. Since many veterinary diseases and injuries can turn into emergencies very quickly, it's important to have a go-to vet. This way, you can ensure you'll know whom to see when your animal needs care.

Speak to your friends and family about vets who've treated their pets. You can even talk to your groomer or an animal shelter worker for referrals. When you visit the clinics you've been referred to, check that the facility is clean, animals are separated and the staff is calm and courteous. Not all clinics are American Animal Hospital Association accredited. This accreditation isn't a legal necessity, though a clinic that's AAHA-accredited is guaranteed to offer high-quality medical care. To receive accreditation, the clinic has to meet the AAHA's standards in the areas of facility, equipment and quality care.

If you're looking for a specialist, you want to make sure he or she is board-certified to practice in that specific area of animal medicine. You'll want to make sure your vet is also convenient to visit, so there are factors to take into account.

Look for a vet who's close to your house, as many animals don't like being in the car for a long time. If there's an emergency, you want to make sure you can get your pet to the vet as quickly as possible.

Though all veterinary clinics must be able to make arrangements to see their clients' pets outside of office hours if there's an emergency, these arrangements may not always be at the facility you're used to. Double check with the office to see where the emergency facility is.

Some clinics have longer hours than others. If you work a 9-5 schedule, make sure the office is open on nights and weekends.

Whether you have pet health insurance or not, it's still worth checking what the regular costs for typical procedures are at the vet's office. There isn't a set standard when it comes to price, so it's good to know that you're not looking into a clinic that's beyond your means.

The type of animal you own should play a part in which vet you choose as well. While your options are vast if you have a dog or cat, you may have to visit an avian clinic for your bird or an exotics clinic for your snake.

Types of Vets

Just as there are many types of doctors, there are many types of vets. Some focus on livestock or house pets, while others may specialize in dentistry or surgery. They may work in a veterinary clinic or zoo, working specifically with the animals housed there, or travel to farms to work with livestock. Since horse racing and other equestrian activities are so popular, some vets are trained to work just with horses.

Diseases, like malaria and yellow fever are also transmitted through animals. Some vets have insight to diseases that affect both humans and animals. Vets have contributed to the treatment and cure of many diseases that plagued both humans and their furry friends.

Government agencies employ veterinarians as well. When an animal comes from a foreign land, these vets quarantine them and check for any diseases that may be present in an effort to control new diseases that can be brought into the country. Other Specific types of vets include:

Private practice veterinarians: This is the most popular type of veterinarian, and many of these professionals work at clinics. They may also go to farms to care for livestock that can't be transported to the clinic.

Teaching and research: These vets work at veterinary schools, training students who are planning on joining the veterinary field. They may also work in college labs conducting research pertaining to animal health.

Regulatory medicine: These vets work closely with diseases rather than animals themselves. Their responsibilities include controlling or eliminating illnesses, and protecting the public from diseases in animals. They may also work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Services.

Public health: These vets are also known as epidemiologists. They work for cities, counties, states or federal agencies to help control and prevent animal and human disease. Public health vets may work for the FDA to determine the safety of medicines and food additives.

Uniformed services: The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps employ these vets. They're responsible for biomedical research and development.

Private industry: These vets go to school solely for positions in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. They work in labs that produce chemicals, drugs and vaccines for both humans and animals.

What Do Veterinary Assistants Do?

A vet assistant works alongside the veterinarian and helps out around the clinic. In some cases, they may assist vets in surgery or restrain struggling animals during tests or lab work. The everyday duties of a veterinary assistant include; monitoring and caring for animals after surgery, keeping medical records, cleaning animals' teeth, feeding and bathing them, cleaning cages, sterilizing surgical equipment, giving animals medication, collecting samples for testing and performing laboratory tests, and offering grief counseling to pet owners.

What to Expect at the Vet's Office

It's a good idea to bring your pet to the vet regularly. This way, he or she becomes familiar and comfortable with the care providers, and you can stay on top of your pet's preventative care. If the animal is small enough, bring it to the office in a carrier. Just as you visit the doctor for a yearly check up, you should bring in your pet for regular check ups as well. During a routine veterinary visit, the vet will probably begin by asking you if there have been any changes in your pet's behavior or habits.

The vet will then take your pet's vitals, like weight, temperature, pulse and respiration rate, and perform a physical examination of the pet. During a physical exam, the vet checks the abdomen for swollen organs, and the legs, feet and joints for any potential problems. Depending on the age, breed or condition of your pet, your veterinarian may also check the eyes, ears and mouth.

When your vet conducts a full body examination, he or she will check out your pet's coat and skin, noting any hair loss, itchy spots or lumps. Keep note of your animal's shedding habits so you can let the vet know if anything seems abnormal. The vet will check for parasites, fleas, ticks, mites and heartworms as well.

Vaccinations are also important to your pet, especially if you have a cat or a dog, and your vet will suggest that you make sure they're current. Keeping up to date with vaccinations can prevent your furry friend from getting distemper, rabies, hepatitis and lyme disease. Some vaccinations last longer than others, so speak to your doctor about staying caught up with your animal's shots.

Cost and Insurance

Just like your own health insurance, you want to make sure your animal is covered before he or she needs veterinary services. Some common animal surgeries can cost thousands of dollars, and you don't want to end up having to foot a surprise bill that costs more than your paycheck.

There's no set price for pet health insurance. Costs can depend on factors such as where you live, the age and breed of your pet, and how much coverage you want. Before you take out a pet insurance policy, you'll want to meet with your vet to go over what he or she thinks your animal should be covered for. Many vets believe that you should make sure cancer, chronic disease, hereditary and congenital disease, and common breed-related medical conditions are all addressed in your policy.

Some pet owners can't afford insurance for their pet, so there are other options to make paying for surprise pet visits as easy as possible. Some pet stores have wellness plans - which tend to be much cheaper than an insurance policy - that offer shots, check ups, screenings and discounts on various procedures your pet may need. A lot of veterinary offices offer payment plans for pricey procedures as well, as long as you have decent credit history. For a last-ditch option, there are even privately funded organizations that offer pet owners financial aid for their pet's treatments.